Recent reviews by May

Part of what makes Dead by Daylight so unpredictable and deep is that it is, in a sense, two separate game modes happening at the same time. For the four survivors, it is an exercise in stealth and teamwork: at the start of each match, they must find and activate five of seven semi-randomly distributed power generators, then open and walk through one of two procedurally generated exits without being murdered. Fixing a generator is a simple task, you simply hold a button, but comes with the risk of triggering an attention-grabbing noise if you miss your timing on randomly occurring skill-check minigames. Skill checks come with little warning and require focus, but you also need to keep an eye out for the killer while you’re doing them, and that split in attention creates some very palpable tension.

The killer, meanwhile, is out to incapacitate the survivors, then pick them up and put them on hooks, where they need to stay until they are “sacrificed” and die. In theory, you have all the power in this scenario: You can attack and the survivors can’t fight back. You even know where the generators are, thanks to their red glowing silhouettes appearing in the distance. But there are still four of them and one of you, so it’s a game of spinning plates: you need to hunt while watching the generators and keeping an eye on your hooked survivors, who can be freed by their teammates. What’s more, the killer plays in first-person while the survivors can use their third-person cameras to check their surroundings and peer around corners.

The maps are to bright, and therefore DbD does not feel like a horror game. Though the game is so much fun, It's just not scary, at all. While making maps darker would inherently restrict line of sight, ultimately being a nerf to survivors and killers alike in one way or the other, it is the only thing that could ever make DBD scary again.

Dead by Daylight’s inventive concept for a competitive horror game strikes an incredible balance between two very different styles of play, and makes both compelling. Channeling the slasher movie spirit, each match feels like a mini horror movie on both sides. Whether you’re the efficient and unpredictable killer, or one of the strategically elusive survivors, the thrill of the chase and the ever-present threat that even the best-laid plans can go awry keep Dead by Daylight feeling timely, even after seven years of thrill kills. However, the prevalence of camping and tunnelling as strategies has created an imbalanced and frustrating experience for survivor mains. These tactics involve a killer closely guarding or repeatedly targeting a survivor, often leading to their quick elimination from the game. While some defenders argue that camping and tunnelling are legitimate strategies, it's important to understand why they are detrimental to the game and the player community as a whole. Firstly, camping and tunnelling undermine the core gameplay loop and objectives of Dead by Daylight. The game is designed to be a challenging and strategic experience for both survivors and killers. Survivors are meant to utilize teamwork, stealth, and resource management to complete generators and escape, while killers aim to strategically hunt and eliminate survivors. However, camping and tunnelling disrupt this delicate balance. They discourage survivor engagement and diminish the opportunity for strategic gameplay, reducing the enjoyment for survivors.
Moreover, camping and tunnelling contribute to a toxic and hostile environment within the game. When survivors are consistently subjected to unfair treatment, such as being left on the floor bleeding out or repeatedly targeted without a chance to participate, it fosters frustration, anger, and a lack of enjoyment. This toxicity leads to a deterioration of the player community, with survivors feeling discouraged, demoralized, and ultimately leaving the game. While it is true that some killers defend camping and tunnelling as legitimate strategies, it's important for the developers to recognize the negative impact it has on the overall player experience. By catering solely to these tactics, the game risks losing its survivor player base entirely. The developers should take into account the feedback and concerns raised by survivor mains who have been alienated and driven away from the game due to the prevalence of these strategies. In order to restore the game's enjoyment and attract and retain players, the developers must address the constant tunneling and camping issues. They should explore ways to encourage a more balanced and strategic gameplay experience that rewards both killers and survivors for their skill and effort. By promoting fair and engaging gameplay, Dead by Daylight can regain the trust and loyalty of its survivor mains and prevent them from seeking alternatives in other games. Until then, I can only recommend Dead by Daylight to those willing to invest extensive time and energy learning the game's mechanics, perks, and killers just to be wiped out two minutes into the match. Others should stay away until significant improvements are made.